::What are we?

I’ve been reading “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. It is an excellent read. He drops the following bomb from Scripture that has been on my heart for the past few weeks:

“Isn’t it interesting that in Acts 11, at the end of verse 26, it says, “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” What I find interesting is the simple thought that the Christians didn’t name themselves. But rather, they were called (or named) “Christians” by those watching their lives. I wonder if it would be the same today. Could someone look at your life or look at my life and name me a Christian? A humbling question for sure.”

It makes me wonder:

What would our communities say we were as a church?

Would they say we were judgmental

loving?

apathetic?

caring?

serving?

selfish?

What would my neighbor say I was as a Christian? Am I

loving?

apathetic?

caring?

serving?

I get concerned about WHO we have been in this world because of WHAT we haven’t done, HOW we have acted, and WHY we haven’t been who God called us to be. This includes me. If you haven’t picked up the book, do it. Reach his entire chapter on the Lukewarm Church because I think he nails us to the wall as he describes what a lukewarm Christian looks like.

I think it means a Titanic sized SHIFT in the way we think of church, the way we Do church, but most importantly the way we ARE church.
Chan’s chapter on Lukewarm Christianity is worth the price of the book alone. He nails problem after problem that exists in the way the Western church has developed church into. Bottom line, if I am honest, my faith has been textbook lukewarm and I fear far too much to have Crazy Love & Radical Faith for what it means to my calendar, wallet, family, calling, home, etc. . .